Over 6,900 malnourished children identified in Ahmedabad, civic body criticised over ₹1 crore ‘high tea’ tender

A survey conducted by the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) wing of the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has identified 5,777 malnourished and 1,188 severely malnourished children in Ahmedabad in 2025, even as the civic body faces criticism for issuing a tender worth ₹1 crore to provide high tea, snacks, and bottled water at official events.

According to the survey, a total of 6,965 children suffered from various forms of malnutrition, raising concerns about child nutrition in Ahmedabad.

Amidst these concerns, the AMC food department has issued a tender to spend around ₹1 crore on providing refreshments such as high tea, snacks, and water bottles for dignitaries attending public or government programmes organised by the civic body.

The move has drawn criticism, as the civic body is currently under administrative control and no major public programmes are scheduled to be organised during this period. Despite this, officials from the department reportedly issued the tender in haste.

For the financial year 2026–27, the AMC has approved an annual budget of ₹18,518 crore. However, critics say that despite identifying malnourished children across the city’s 48 wards through regular surveys by the child development department, no special measures have been announced by the civic body to address the issue, with the responsibility largely being left to the state government.

Cases of malnutrition have been reported not only in eastern parts of the city but also in several western wards.

Nirav Bakshi, corporator from Dariyapur, criticised the ruling party, alleging that the situation reflects a lack of attention towards children’s welfare in recent years.

“This is the result of the ruling party not worrying about the future of children over the past five years,” Bakshi said.